How did you create your weight loss plan?

This post is part of a reader Q&A.  I'm more than happy to answer your questions about my weight loss process (or anything).  My email button is on the sidebar.  Just please remember that I am not a doctor, dietitian or a nutritionist.  These answers are absolutely specific to me and my personal journey.


Question: How did you create your weight loss plan?  
The creation of my weight loss plan was an intuitive, experiment-and-see kind of thing. Initially, I did very little research or planning. I just jumped right in by starting a daily walking routine. I didn't want to start with a diet book or an episode of Oprah. I wanted to take real action and start moving - which is what Oprah and the weight loss book will probably tell you to do anyway. Everyone is always looking for an easy way to lose weight. But I knew that real and permanent weight loss would only come one way for me: diet and exercise. (You know, the hard way.)

STEP 1:
Move your body.  Walk. Go outside and put one foot in front of the other.  Your pace, footwear, and route do not matter.  Just get moving.  This will do two really important things for you:  1) It will feel good to move and boost your morale and 2) You will begin to burn calories.

STEP 2:
Stop eating the thing that is making you fat.  Once I established a consistent walking routine, I was free to start expanding my view. I had to do a little investigative work.  I wrote down what I ate for a few days just to see what I was really consuming during the day.  Often times I find that what we think we're eating differs greatly from what we're actually eating.  So write it down to get a true and honest beat on the kinds of foods you are consuming.  So the question is: What is making me fat?  Refined sugar and flour- plain and simple.  I am a sugar addict and always will be.  Most people are.

It was really important to me at the beginning of this process to be free from calorie counting and restrictive portions.  I knew I wasn't ready for that kind of regimen.  So instead of restricting the amount of food I ate, I simply cut out as much sugar as I possibly could.  It was pretty easy to cut the obvious sources of sugar.  Ice cream, candy, Pepsi, venti mocha frappucinos and baked goodies were all the first things to go.  The more insidious piece of the puzzle was all the refined sugar and white flour I was unknowingly consuming.

This is when I started doing some research.  It turns out that sugar (usually disguised as some form of genetically modified corn product) is hiding in almost every packaged convenience food in America.  And I can write with confidence that this kind of sugar is the source of my own weight problem and the cause of our modern American obesity epidemic.  So Step 2 (Stop Eating Sugar) was much more difficult to implement.  It meant a total overhaul of my diet.  Here are just a few things that I ate on a daily basis for decades that contain high fructose corn syrup:

Yoplait yogurt

Most Salad Dressings

Special K Cereal (in fact almost all Kellogg's products)

Most Peanut Butters

Muffins

Bagels

Ketchup

Sodas

Bottled Juices

Applesauce

Whole Wheat Breads

Thomas' English Muffins

Pasta Sauces

Power Bar

Miracle Whip

Ritz Crackers

Knudsen Cottage Cheese

Claussen's Pickles

Kraft Cream Cheeses

Some Campbell's Soups

So cutting the sugar was key.  And when I started doing this, the weight began to drop off at a very fast rate.  The first week that I cut sugar, I lost four pounds.  And when I begin to reintroduce sugar into my diet, the weight loss slows down or stops.  There is a direct correlation (for me and my body) between obesity and sugar consumption.

Question: How did you decide on raw food and juicing?
Once I cut sugar from my diet, the question became "Okay, what can I eat?"  And as I said before, I wasn't ready to restrict my portions or count calories or weigh my food.  All of that seemed a little to involved for someone just starting out.  Someone recommended that I take a look at The Raw Detox Diet by Natalia Rose.  Some of the book is pure crazy talk, but most of the principles are sound.  So I took some of the basics and started to apply them to my meals.  Basically, I could eat as much food as I wanted as long as it was a whole, unprocessed, raw food.  The book had lots of easy recipes that even a non-chef like me could prepare.  So I gave it a whirl.

I noticed a huge difference right away in my energy levels, skin tone and weight loss.  I felt good about what I was eating and I could eat as much of it as I wanted.  It turned out to be the perfect fit.  The thing to keep in mind when trying out a new diet or a new weight loss plan set forth by someone else is that it has to be sustainable for YOU.  If you read something and think, "Well, there is no way I can do that for any extended period of time," then walk away from it.  It has to work for you or you won't be able to stick with it.  And the truth is that no one book or video or lifestyle plan will be your be all end all.  Feel free to pick and choose what works for you. It was so important to me that food remain an enjoyable part of my day.  I love whole foods and salads, but I also love wine, dark chocolate and cooked fish.  So, I make it work for me while adhering to my no refined sugar (or very little refined sugar) policy.  And I'm not a tyrant - I still eat a sweet treat every once in a while.

The Raw Food Detox Diet also promotes juicing - especially green vegetable juice.  But it wasn't until I saw Fat Sick and Nearly Dead (a documentary) that I hopped on the juicing band wagon.  Eating the Standard American Diet for so long depleted most of my nutrient stores.  I needed to heal my tissues and reinvigorate my body at a cellular level.  Juicing was the answer for me.  It is a fantastic way to get a lot of phyto-nutrients and live enzymes into your body very quickly.

Now, 11 months later, I'm still at it.  I still juice most every morning and I eat a partially raw diet.  When I'm feeling low energy and need a pick me up, I just amp up the raw food intake and dial down the cooked stuff.  I am by no means a raw foodist nor do I aspire to be one.  However, these principles have really worked for me over the past year.

Walking Again

I love going for a walk.  When I first began the Smaller Sarah journey, walking is what kicked it off.  I had no idea where to start, but I knew that if nothing else, I could at least head out the door and walk.  Since I started boot camp and running, I rarely take the time to walk anymore.  Its a shame, because I love walking. 

Enter Jessica.

Jessica is a doll.  She lives down the street from me and we recently ran into each other at a neighborhood social.  She is on her own "get healthy" journey and mentioned that she was looking for a walking partner.  Perfect!  So now, when the mood strikes (about twice a week), we leave our husbands to put the kids to bed after dinner and we head out the door together.  We walk for about 45 minutes, chatting the whole way and when we land back home we always think, "Wow - that went fast!"  So Jessica, thank you for getting me back into a walking habit.  Its a great way to change up the boot camp and running.  Plus, I get a quick dose of lively conversation and neighborly camaraderie.  What could be better?

Weigh In - Week 23

I spent the week sans husband.  It was a tough week on my own with two little ones, but I managed to start something BIG: boot camp.  I've been wanting to kick my weight loss into high gear - waiting for the right time.  But as we all know, if we wait for the "right time", it never comes.  I had my first boot camp class on Friday.  I'll be going twice a week to start and then we'll see where that leads.

I'm also back at the walking routine.  I've found a lovely two mile loop in my neighborhood that follows a local creek.  Its a beautiful, tree-lined walk and I can do it with or without a stroller.  My plan is to do boot camp on Wednesdays and Fridays with at least two power walks between Saturday and Tuesday. 

Food for the week was simple and nutritious -mostly salads and nuts and avocado sandwiches, etc.  I caved and had THREE separate Starbucks runs.  But when you've got a four year old asking 5.8 questions a second and a 15 month old on the verge of a leaky diaper, you need something to keep you sane.  So this week, caffeine and sugar came to the rescue. 

Pounds lost this week: 2

Total pounds lost: 39

The "I Did It" List

began boot camp classes

ate healthy meals

replaced water for most beverages

juiced (green lemonade) most mornings

took care of the boys on my own for 6 days without strangling anyone

Weigh In - Week 22

I was a good girl this week and stuck to my diet and danced around my house for exercise.  I didn't do a lot of walking - only once did I get out of the house for a quick power walk. Luckily, my body is in weight-loss mode and I'm still dropping pounds.  The thing I'm finding most difficult right now is staying motivated to walk.  This summer, when I began this journey, my husband was home in the mornings with the kids and I could just walk out the door.  Now, its pitch dark at 7am and I've only got 30 minutes before we need to be heading out the door for work and school.  I'm hoping that when daylight savings begins at the end of this week, I'll have some early light to walk by.  But I know better than anyone... that is just an excuse.  Excuses, excuses.

Pounds lost this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 37

The "I Did It" List

adhered to a healthy eating plan

drank lots of water

bakes a batch of cake balls (52) for a party and only ate two

enjoyed a beautiful guilt-free dinner at a nice restaurant with my husband

Happy Halloween to everyone and 

I hope you have a safe and spooky holiday!

Weigh In - Week 19

I had another stalled week where I ate out a few times and consumed a little more food and wine than I had planned.  I still ate healthy foods even though I was only partially eating raw.  I over did it on the wine and also enjoyed an evening out with my husband, which ended with a creamy coffee drink and a peanut butter cookie.  Ah well.

What does this mean for my weight?  This morning, I hopped on the scale expecting a slight gain.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had not gained or lost anything.  I was still holding steady for the second week in a row.  Why is this?  Perhaps its because I started walking again?  Perhaps its because I was still eating relatively healthy food and portions.  Whatever the reason, I'm grateful.  This week, I plan to kick my weight loss back into high gear.  Its back to my 80% raw meals and walking 5 days this week!  Here I go...  I'm starting right now.... I'm going...  see me going?

Pounds lost this week: 0

Total pounds lost: 32

The "I Did It" List

I took three 2-mile power walks this week.

I ran a mile during one of my walks.

I continued to make good food choices even though I was eating out a lot.

I drank more water than usual.

Weigh In - Week 18

Fitness-wise, this week was pretty bleak.  That's why I woke up this morning, bright and early (thanks to a fussy baby) and went for a serious power walk.  My October pledge is to reignite my walking regimen.  I walked for almost 7 weeks straight through June and July.  Now that the weather is cooler here in Dallas, there is no excuse.  Once again, I'll be walking 4-5 mornings a week thanks to my awesome husband who will be on kid duty while I'm gone.

This week, I also stuck (mostly) to our 80% raw eating plan.  The one BIG splurge this week is that I had 3 beers during the week.  Once for an Oktoberfest gathering, once on my porch with my family and once when I had some company over for dinner.  But I'm still very very happy with the juicing, which I do every morning and my raw food plan.  I love making raw meals because its quick prep, very little clean up and I don't have to turn on a stove or an oven, which heats up my house.  The one thing I really need to keep better track of is how my food is being combined.  I try to mostly eat fruit alone but it doesn't always happen.  I try to mostly eat food categories on their own without mixing but it doesn't always happen.  Re-committing to proper food combining will be key in the coming months.  When I properly combine my food, the weight drops off very easily.

This week, I didn't lose any weight.  I didn't gain any either.  So I'm holding steady at a 32 pound loss since June first.  Jack, my husband, has joined me on my juicing and raw eating plan as well.  He also started drinking 2 litres of water every morning.  With only these two changes, Jack has lost 25 pounds since June first.  Amazing, right?  I'm so happy for him!

Pounds lost this week:  0

Total pounds lost: 32

The "I Did It" List

Mostly stick to my raw eating plan

Juiced 6 out of 7 mornings

learning how to buy organic veggies for less by shopping at more than one location

reignited my walking regimen

helped my husband drop 25 pounds this summer

Walking Feels Good

Even in the stinky, record setting Dallas heat, walking feels good.  I have to remember this.  It's been a week since my last power walk and no doubt the heat has been getting me down.  Today, my Dad was with my kids and said, "Go take a walk".  Nice offer and a great suggestion.  That's what Dads are for, right?  I left my iPod at home and just listened to the sounds of my neighborhood (lawn mowers, car traffic, birds, buzzing bug life, and kids in the school yard.)  The other sound I heard was my own breathing, somewhat labored yet strong and slow.  Yep, walking sure feels good.

Despite the Heat

I put on my tennis shoes for the first time today since July 23rd and headed out the door at 6:30am for a two-mile power walk.  Why haven't I been walking?  I've been either traveling, on surgery and recovery duty for Charlie, and its been 108 degrees or more.  But today, at 6:30am, Dallas was a cool 89 degrees, so I seized the moment and went for a much needed walk.  It felt great to move my body.  It wasn't as easy as it was three weeks ago, but it wasn't too difficult either.  My muscle memory kicked right in and I could hear a little inner voice saying, "Yeah - let's do this!"

On the food front, I've been preparing lots of raw or partially raw meals for my family and for the most part, I've had no complaints.  I'm enjoying lots of yummy salad variations and cold summer soups.  Sometimes I have some ill-combined meals, but mostly, I'm sticking to the chart.  My husband just stepped on the scale last night and mentioned that he lost 6 pounds in the last month, largely based on the food shift in our home.  Yay for the hubs!

Walking it OFF!

I'm at Barf Weight

Sorry for the infrequent posting.  I'm visiting my mother in a rural town in Eastern Oregon and my internet access is limited to the public library, which is only open for four hours each day.  It's been a big week, visiting with famiy and trying to maintain my eating plan and walking regimen.  I've been taking it very easy, doing what I can and forgiving the little tresspasses.

I continue to walk most mornings and even some evenings.  I take a three mile power walk along a country road that looks over beautiful hay fields and up at the Wallowa Mountain Range.  I've put my iPod away for the time being, opting instead to listen to the rushing waters of nearby Eagle Creek and the buzzing insect and bird life as I walk.  I'm still eating mostly raw, well-combined meals and I've already dropped another pounds this week!  I haven't seen this weight since I got really sick three years ago from eating some bad brie cheese.  During the course of 12 hours every last drop of liquid evacuated my body and I lost a lot of weight.  Of course, it immediately came back on the following day.  But now, I'm actually at sick barf weight without barfing!  Marvelous!

Everything Can Change

I used to think that there were some things that would never change.  Granted, I'll always be Sarah and I'll always have a pointy nose and I'll always be tall.  But I used to think that in addition to my God given name, my mother's nose and my father's height I'd also always be on the fat side.  But that's not true.  Most things we tell ourselves have no basis in reality.  When I'm telling myself untruths about my body (or about anything, really) I ask myself these 4 simple questions:


Is it true?

Can you absolutely know that it's true?

How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?

Who would you be without the thought?


By asking these questions, I'm usually able to obliterate the negative thought and learn that in fact the opposite of my negative thought is the truth.  Where did I get this awesome set of myth-busting questions?  Byron Katie.  You can read more about her and her work HERE.

This morning, after a lovely birthday evening with my husband which included a dirty martini, a glass of white wine, Alaskan crab legs and a beautiful array of vegetables, I went for a 2-mile power walk.  At first, my legs felt like peanut butter.  Everything in my body said, "Go home. You're not cut out for this."  But slowly, slowly, my brain took over and told my body to shut up and get moving.  Soon, I was flying around the neighborhood at a clipped pace with a smile.  Everything can change.

P.S.  Today was my last walk in Cedar City, Utah.  My husband's contract with the Shakespeare Festival is over today!  Tomorrow we drive to my Mama's home in Eastern Oregon where I plan to continue on my weight loss journey and I'll be sure to keep blogging as well!

Walk for Joy

After a month of walking almost every day, I'm really starting to take serious joy in this simple exercise.  Today I power walked two and a half miles with ease and felt for the first time as though this was normal.  Usually, any kind of exercise feels like something new, something I'm trying out.  But not today.  Now, its a habit - and one that I intend to nurture and maintain.  The sun was bright and hot, but the breeze was light and cool.  Perfect day for a walk.  I'm so grateful to have a body that works!

Day one of my new eating plan went very well.  I started the day with 24 ounces of water with lemon and enjoyed pears, blueberries, tangerines and apples for breakfast.  Lunch was a big green salad consisting of romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, sprouts and avocado.  Dinner was organic whole grain pasta with onions, mushrooms, celery and tomatoes lightly sauteed in olive oil.  I snacked on nuts and dried fruit in the afternoon.  All in all, it was yummy, filling and void of sugar and preservatives.  One day down and the rest of my life to go!

P.S.  Play list this morning was Prince and Michael Jackson.  Raspberry Beret and Billy Jean are the perfect pace for power-walking!  I weigh in tomorrow morning so check back to see our progress!

Feel the Burn

Instead of my usual 2 mile power walk, I decided to climb some nearby hills.  These are big hills and they have a very steep incline.  I thought it might be good for my backside.  So I only walked a mile today, but the first half was strait up!  When I got to the top, I was winded and sucking gas big time.  Cedar City is at 6500 feet and the high altitude means that I have less oxygen than I'm accustomed to.  However, the burn I was feeling in my butt and thighs was great!  I just recently read that women who get their heart rates up for just 10 minutes a day were generally 6 dress sizes smaller than women who did not.  Jack took some quick snap shots of me as I headed out on my walk this morning.  So, here I am on my way out and up up up!

P.S  Today's play list was all Mo Town!

A New Day

Yesterday was a day of rest, but this morning, I was up early and back at it!  I took a 2 mile power walk and returned home to a fresh light breakfast of Clementine oranges and a tall glass of water mixed with the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Back on track!

P.S.  Today's play list was a shuffle of upbeat tunes from 1980's hairbands.  (My husband's albums.)

Don't Forget to Smile

I've learned a few small lessons since beginning my walking regimen.  They're not revolutionary - they're just little tid-bits about the nature of exercise.  Initially, I thought that waking up in the morning and going for a power walk would get easier as the days wore on.  Which brings me to my first drop of knowledge: 

1.  It doesn't get easier.  You just get better.


I also thought that while on this journey, I'd be doing battle with my conflicting desires.  Namely these two desires: "I don't feel like going out for exercise" and "I want to stay home and eat something sweet".  This is what I've learned:

2. I almost always regret eating something sweet.  I never regret going for a power-walk.


The other thing that I've discovered (yogis have known this for centuries) is that smiling makes everything seem better and easier.  When I'm feeling a little burnt out or exhausted, the simple act of smiling releases endorphins and relaxes my muscles so that I can push through the tough spots.

3. Don't forget to smile.

P.S.  Today's play list was Journey.  I've been having trouble with my ear buds staying in my ears.  They keep wriggling out and I am constantly adjusting them.  I feel so silly, like a 13 year old girl who always messes with her hair. This came to a head today when I ran a half mile of my walk.  The running exacerbated the issue and made me realize, I need to invest in some proper sized ear buds.

The Readiness is All

I'm just back from a two mile walk up the canyon behind Cedar City, Utah.  I feel good.  I'm feeling even better about being on this "get healthy" journey.  I'm also excited to be down another pound since Sunday.  The question that kept coming up today as I power walked happily against the breeze to Prince's Raspberry Beret was "Why didn't I do this sooner and avoid ten years of needing a belt extender on airplanes?"  And I guess the answer is simple.  I just wasn't ready.

Computer Binging Pajama Fest

I took the day off yesterday.  Monday mornings always seem to be a little more hectic around my house.  My husband is back to work after a day off and my three-year-old is eager to get to swim lessons.  Charlie, my 10 month old is popping a tooth and decided that he would spend the morning screaming into my ear.  Poor kiddo, I wish there was something more that I could do for him.  So, I spent the majority of my day in clothing that resembled pajamas, taking care of my boys.

I also spent many hours online reading Mormon scripture as a little "getting to know my temporary neighbors" exercise.  I'm currently in Cedar City, Utah while Jack works at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.  From the entrance to our apartment, I can see four white steeples all belonging to Mormon churches.  I am visited two or three times a week by "the Mormon boys".  This is how they introduce themselves - "Hi, we're your local Mormon boys.  Are you interested in our message?"  In fact, I am interested in their message but not for the reasons they think.  I'm more interested in their message from a "Hey, why is Mormonism the fastest growing religion in the West?" kind of way.  More anthropological than spiritual.  Instead of chatting with boys, I spent LOTS of hours online with the angel Moroni, Nephi, Lehi, Joseph Smith and a host of other crazy characters.  Anyway... I'm waaaaaay off track here.

The point is that I yesterday I was a stationary lump and getting out the door this morning for my walk took some serious energy.  I was lethargic from yesterday's computer binging pajama fest.  But once I was out in the sun, smelling the sage and feeling Cedar City's mountain breeze on my face, I felt amazing!

P.S.  Today's playlist was Joan Osborne.

Sometimes My Mind Wanders...

A few days ago while on my walk listening to the rebounding flap of my rear end with each step I took, I had a little day dream fantasy:


Dallas area woman caught in the middle of a freak accident last Thursday. There were no witnesses to verify the incident, but local police say that a large tree limb fell on the victim grazing only her backside. The Dallas area woman walked away from the accident unharmed. However, her butt went with the tree.  When asked why she was under the tree, the victim said, "I was walking to lose weight." She is currently in the hospital undergoing evaluation and some light reconstructive surgery. Authorities say that she'll be released on Monday, fifteen pounds lighter with a cute new butt.



When I relayed my fantasy to my mom, she reminded me that my butt will fall off if I keep walking.  Point taken.  So, this morning, I headed out the door with my big beautiful hind quarters in tow.  Besides, reconstructive surgery is so ... ugh.

P.S.  Playlist today was Eminem.  That guy can really throw some beats.  Oh, and tomorrow is my weigh in!  So stay tuned to see how we did this week!  (You should know that I had a tall Coffee Frappuccino on Thursday.  I couldn't help myself.)

More reasons to lose the weight

I woke up this morning with a runny nose.  I was up all night with my 10 month old, Charlie, who is also suffering from a allergies.  My husband was also up at 3:30am without returning to sleep.  No rest for the weary.  I thought, "There is no way that I'm going for a walk this morning.  I'm beat."  While I was in the bathroom I stepped on the scale to find that I've lost another pound over the past three days.  Then I peeked over the edge of Charlie's bed to see him sleeping soundly under his flannel blanket.

Many of you know that my son Charlie is a stroke survivor.  He had a grade four stroke in utero and is in the process of overcoming the physical effects of his brain hemorrhage.  I was chatting with my Dad yesterday.  We talked about my weight loss goal and I said, "In addition to feeling healthy and becoming smaller, losing the weight is about preparing myself for the small possibility that Charlie may not ever walk unassisted.  He may be in a wheel chair or need me to carry him during the early years."  My Dad laughed and said, "Are you kidding?  You need to lose the weight so that you can take off after him in a dead sprint when he runs away from you into the street.  That kid is going to leave you in the dust if you don't drop a few." I'm so lucky to have positive, funny, wonderful people in my life.  Thanks Dad!  So, Charlie, the race is on - hit me with your best shot.  I promise to get out of bed every day and go walking so that when you're ready to start sprinting, I'll be right behind you!

P.S.  This morning's playlist was a shuffle of Beyonce, Cake, Nelly Furtado, Madonna and Christina Aguilera.  When I came home from my two-mile walk, Charlie was still asleep.

Diet Books

So, I'm doing a little research and putting my diet plan together before I leap into a world without Dairy Queen.  I know it sounds simplistic, but I made a list of food that I love to eat.  It didn't matter weather the food was good for me or bad for me.  If I love it, it went on the list.  I was very happy to see that most of the foods on my "I love it" list were healthy foods.  And I was even more shocked to realize that most of the foods I loved were plant based.  My goal is to develop an eating plan that includes food I love to eat that doesn't require me to count every last calorie. 

So, with my list in hand I headed to the Barnes and Noble and browsed the weight-loss books, which was an experience in and of itself.  Health and Weight Loss was, appropriately I think, next to the religion section.  Here's the kicker - the weigh loss section was double the size of Religion. 5,000 years of religious, mystical and spiritual life did not add up to the bulky avalanche of weight loss literature available at the Barnes and Noble.  Hmm...

A nice lady was shelving books in the romance section across the aisle and said, "Can I help you?"  "Yes", I replied, "I'm fat and looking for a book that will make me thin."  She didn't bat an eyelash, "Well, there are lots of books to chose from."  I looked back at the overwhelming array of literature.  "Can you recommend one that allows for weekly trips to the Dairy Queen?"  She smiled and shook her head.  There was an awkward pause.  Finally, I said."Thank you, I'll just browse on my own."

After reading through a few dozen diet books, I found one that was most suited to my non-calorie-counting, "I love it" list.  The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose.  This book has been recommended to me quite a few times, but I was surprised to find that this book was most closely aligned with my needs.  I thought, "Wow.  This seems kind of hard core."

I just finished reading the book and while I won't be able to implement all Ms. Rose's recommendations, this book is a great starting place for me as I plan my diet.  Again, I want this to be a lifestyle change and not a crash diet.  I want to make changes that will have a big impact and will be easy to maintain.  The best part about the Raw Food plan - no portion control or calorie counting.  Just eat whole, raw and yummy foods until you are satisfied.  I can roll with that.

 Have you read The Raw Food Detox Diet?  

What do you think?

Do you have a favorite weight loss book?  

Recommend it to me!

  

P.S.  I'm so happy that my mom is in town right now. She walked with me today!  We went walking in the afternoon as opposed to my normal morning walk.  (Note to self: walk in the morning.)  She totally schooled me - my mom chatted the whole time without stopping.  We walked at a good clip and I was out of breath, nodding my head as she talked.  She talked and walked and walked and talked and all I could think was, "Wow, Sarah, your 60 year old mom is in GREAT shape!  Thank God for awesome genes!"  Hopefully in a few months, I can power walk with my mom and be part of the conversation.  Until then, I'll focus on breathing.

Habit Sarah vs. Smaller Sarah

This morning I woke up to the howling sounds of high winds coming down the canyon.  (I'm currently in Cedar City, Utah while my husband works at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.)  This was my internal conversation:


Habit Sarah:  I can't go walking in this wind.
Smaller Sarah:  Oh yeah?
Habit Sarah:  No way, its brutal out there - listen to that WIND!
Smaller Sarah:  Are you going to use this as an excuse not to move your body?
Habit Sarah:  Its not an excuse, its just a fact.  The weather is bad.
Smaller Sarah:  You live in a post global warming world - the weather is always bad.
Habit Sarah:  Oh, don't be so "I've got the big picture and you're just lazy."
Smaller Sarah:  Great, then get out there.  You've got a blog post to write!


So, I'm back from my walk with a mouth full of dust and a heart full of pride.  To make the walk go faster and avoid the tumbling sage brush, I ran about a quarter mile of my walk.  And you know what?  It was awesome. I used to run all the time while training with my high school basketball team - but that was fifteen years ago.  For some reason, I figured that my overweight self would be incapable of running.  But, really its no different than it was back then.  I sucked gas in high school and I suck gas now.  Yes, its harder on my knees - but mostly its the same. I'm just a running fat girl.  I'm not impaired, I'm just big.
Note to self: Your body was meant to move.

P.S. The playlist today on my walk was Madonna's album, Ray of Light.